Being a mother is one of the most challenging and rewarding roles a woman can take on. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of motherhood and forget to give yourself credit for all that you do.
As mothers, it’s often important (and perhaps the default) to put the needs of our children before our own, but in this way we can sometimes overlook our own accomplishments and hard work. Unfortunately, while it can seem quite self-aggrandizing to give yourself credit, failing to do so can make you question your capabilities as a mother even if you’re really rather excellent at all of the responsibilities you have to deal with in a day.
Moreover, you’re less likely to forgive yourself if you lose your temper or feel irritated by a lack of sleep, which are both entirely normal. In this post, we’ll explore some ways you can give yourself more credit as a mother, and take the time to appreciate your own efforts and achievements.
Take Time To Consider How Much You’ve Achieved
Recognize your accomplishments, and yes, successfully raising a child to whatever their current age will be IS an achievement. Without question. This means taking a step back and looking at all that you have achieved. It could be small things like getting the kids to school on time or keeping the house relatively clean. Or it could be bigger things like potty training your toddler or getting your child into a good school. Whatever it is, give yourself credit for it. Keep a journal or mental note of your accomplishments and look back on them when you’re feeling down. It’s important to remind yourself of all the things you’ve achieved, and that you’re doing a great job.
Give Yourself A Break When You Need It
Give yourself a break from time to time. This might sound a little indulgent, but you should recognize that you are only human and that you can’t do everything perfectly all the time. Give yourself permission to take a break when you need it. Take a bath, go for a walk, or read a book if your baby or child is taking a nap or at school, or if you have an evening free. You’ll come back feeling refreshed and better able to tackle the challenges of motherhood. It’s important to remember that you’re allowed to put yourself first sometimes.
Protecting Yourself & Your Child
Motherhood also means being a protector, and that means protecting your child and yourself. This means creating a safe and healthy environment for your child, both physically and emotionally. It also means setting boundaries and saying no where appropriate, be that being assertive with a teacher who seems to be dismissing your child, talking with cerebral palsy attorneys about medical negligence, or being mindful over who your child befriends and what that might imply in the long run. Doing this will help you give yourself more credit, because it shows you don’t have to be constantly affirming all the time, you can be direct too. It shows you there are multiple good ways to parent.
With this advice, you’re sure to give yourself more credit as a mother.